Packages or containers for cigarettes and matches



Oct. 29, 1957 w\ STEVENSON 2,811,247

PACKAGES 0R CONTAINERS FOR CIGARETTES AND MATCHES Filed Oct. 20, 1954 INVENTOR. Wbadmwfiieuens 017,

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United States Patent PACKAGES OR CONTAINERS FOR CIGARETTES AND MATCHES Woodrow Stevenson, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application October 20, 1954, Serial No. 463,441

2 Claims. (Cl. 206-48) This invention relates to combination packages or containers for cigarettes and matches.

The chief aim of my invention is to provide a simple compact and inexpensive package or container for cigarettes or the like with incorporated facilities for storage of matches convenient of ready access for individual removal and use in lighting the cigarettes.

Other objects and attendant advantages will appear from the following detailed description of the attached drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a combination package for cigarettes and matches conveniently embodying my invention in one form.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 with portions of the wrappings removed for access to and removal of cigarettes and/ or matches from the package.

Figs. 3 and 4 are fragmentary views of the package taken as indicated respectively by the angled arrows III-III and IV-IV in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a retractable drawerlike slide for the matches associated with the package; and

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing an alternative embodiment of my invention.

With more specific reference first more particularly to Figs. 1-5 of these illustrations, in the embodiment there shown, my improved package comprises a main Wrapper 10 of a suitably stifi metal foil coated opaque sheet material which may be paper, formed by folding, into an oblong-sided container. Disposed in the bottom portion of the wrapper 10 is a square section tubular insert 12 fashioned from suitably stifi sheet material, the narrow side walls of the wrapper being provided with square openings, as instanced at 13 in Figs. 2 and 4, corresponding in area to that of the channel of said insert. The insert 12 may be secured in position within the main wrapper by means of glue or paste. As a consequence of this construction, there is formed within the wrapper 10 a compartment for cigarettes C; and a transverse guideway in the lower part. Engaged in the guideway of the insert 12 is a drawer-like slide 15 also of suitably stiff sheet material; for storage of loose matches M. Adjacent opposite ends, the side walls of the slide 15 are formed, respectively with downward notches as shown at 16 in Fig. 5, and on its front and back face at the level of the slide, the main wrapper is provided with scratch surfaces 17 for use in igniting the matches. The overlapped flaps 18 at the top of the main wrapper are held closed by the usual long revenue stamp designated 19 in Figs. 1 and 2. The main wrapper 10 is completely enveloped by an outside wrapper 20 of the transparent sheet material which for example may be of cellophane or the like and which is surrounded immediately below the top end of the package and immediately above the insert 12 by narrow bands 21 and 22 of separating tapes. For safety against fire hazard, the insert and the slide are preferably formed from thin 2,811,247 Patented Oct. 29, 1957 light weight sheet material and, before application of the outside wrapper 20, cover pieces 23 cut from the metal, are placed over the open ends of the insert.

In preparation for the use of the cigarettes the upper and lower portions 23 and 24 of the outside wrapper 20 are removed by pulling off the bands 21 and 22. As a result, the top of the main wrapper 10 is exposed as in Fig. 2 so that one corner thereof can be torn off, and the cover pieces 23 fall away so that slide 15 can be retracted partially in one direction or the other for access to the matches M which are readily accessible for individual removal as a consequence of the provision of the notches 16 in the sides of said slide. For the purpose of preventing complete removal of the slide 15, I have provided a stop 24, see Figs. 3 and 4, which is punched out of the top wall of the insert 12 and bent downward for cooperation With one or the other of the end walls of the slide depending upon the direction of retraction of the latter.

In Fig. 6, I have shown my invention as having the form of a thin walled sheath which is open at the top and which may be made of suitable preferably transparent plastic. A transverse partition 12a subdivides the sheath 10a into an upper compartment for reception of standard sized packets of cigarettes, and a guideway at the bottom for a match storage slide 15a. As illus trated the end walls of the sheath 10a are formed with openings 13a to permit retraction of the slide 15a, and the front and rear walls have scratch surfaces 17a for use in igniting the matches.

The sheath 10a is further provided at the top of its cigarette compartment with a closure in the form of a retractable slide 25 which is engaged in a continuous groove 26 formed in opposite side walls and in one of the end walls of said sheath.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination, a fiat rectangular cigarette packet of conventional size; a hollow square-section element applied to the bottom end of the cigarette packet with its sides and ends flush respectively with the front and back and With sides of said packet; a slide drawer for matches constrained for endwise sliding in said element; a main wrapper of sheet material enveloping and binding together the cigarette packet and the tubular element, .said main wrapper being cut away at opposite sides to clear the opposite ends of the match drawer; an outer wrapper of sheet material completely enveloping the assemblage; and tear bands surrounding the outer wrapper respectively adjacent the top and immediately above the match drawer clearing openings, whereby the upper and lower end portions of said outer wrapper can be removed for access to the cigarettes and to the match drawer.

2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the match drawer is provided in its opposite side walls ad j'acent opposite ends, respectively, with finger clearance notches to facilitate removal of individual matches when the drawer is partially retracted in one direction or the other.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 727,600 Doscher May 12, 1903 1,203,640 Malicki Nov. 7, 1916 1,484,006 Brey Feb. 19, 1924 1,493,523 Dearborn May 13, 1924 2,168,585 Schwartz Aug. 8, 1939 2,268,970 Tindal Jan. 6, 1942 2,313,428 Glenn Mar. 9, 1943 2,367,019 Haag Jan. 9, 1945 

